Tough Age

Fusing elements of surf, garage rock, punk, and a dash of indie pop, Vancouver's Tough Age describe their music as "culmination-rock," with four veterans of the Canadian underground rock scene pooling their ideas, influences, and experience for this new project. Tough Age were formed in 2012 by vocalist and songwriter Jarrett K., who previously worked with the bands Apollo Ghosts and Role Mach. When his surf-influenced group Korean Gut abruptly broke up, Jarrett recruited drummer Chris Martell, who had been a member of Sightlines and Collapsing Opposites as well as working with Jarrett before, to start a new group. With Penny "Agamemnon" Clark on guitar and backing vocals and Lauren Smith on bass, Tough Age were born, and their tough but hooky sound and Jarrett's nervy but thoughtful lyrics quickly earned them a reputation on the Canadian underground scene. Respected indie label Mint Records signed the band, whose self-titled debut album, produced by Jay Arner, was released in November 2013.